There have been nine quarterbacks to surpass 0.30 EPA/play since 2007, according to The Athletic.

He’s on pace for 46 total touchdowns, more than 5,000 passing yards, and has an EPA/dropback (which discounts rushing attempts) over 0.32. What will be interesting, though, is how close Mahomes may get to his previous MVP numbers this season. Unlike the first two comparisons, Hurts’ numbers and playing style don’t resemble those of Mahomes, who had a historic season as a passer in 2018. The focal point of the best team in the NFL is an archetype that has won in the past and could theoretically win again over players with slightly better numbers. Newton’s team went 15-1 that season, which could be the pivotal common thread between the two quarterbacks. Like Hurts, Newton didn’t lead the league in EPA/play he ranked sixth behind exclusively pocket passers with better numbers through the air. Newton had more than double the number of throws deemed “big-time” by PFF, but also had twice as many turnover-worthy plays. CPOE wasn’t recorded in 2015, but Hurts outdid Newton in EPA/play and is on pace to surpass him in total EPA as well. Hurts has sizable advantages in total yardage and completion percentage as well.Īdvanced stats favor Hurts even further. Newton’s total touchdowns (45) edge out Hurts’ projected 42 with an extra game, but Hurts’ turnover differential will once again be superior. The Hurts-Newton comparison is the most favorable for Hurts both statistically and narrative-wise. Hurts’ running style and approach are more similar to Newton’s than Jackson’s and the numbers bear this out. How Hurts Compares With Cam Newton in 2015

Most notably, Patrick Mahomes leads the NFL with 0.27 EPA/play this season. Jackson led the league in the metric during his MVP season, while Hurts ranks fifth. Jackson’s 0.30 EPA/play is in line with several recent MVP winners, while Hurts’ 0.17 is slightly behind. The biggest difference between the two might be EPA, which heavily favors Jackson. Team success is similar between the two (Jackson went 13-2 as a starter) and the significant leap as a passer is comparable between the two as well. He has already surpassed Jackson’s passing yardage total for the season and is on pace to have 5,000 total yards. Hurts has a good amount of literal ground to make up if he’s going to break 1,000 rushing yards, but his total yardage may be the eye-popping stat that he needs. Jackson’s 1,206 rushing yards and the flair with which he got them was a major part of his campaign along with the progress he made as a passer. MVP winners typically have a blend of gaudy statistics, viral highlight plays, and a supporting narrative that is either year-over-year progress or team success. Hurts may not end up playing all 17 games, but he’s on pace for 42 total touchdowns compared to Jackson’s 43 while having fewer turnovers and turnover-worthy plays. The counting numbers between Jackson and Hurts are a mixed bag, but certainly comparable.

Jalen hurts stats nfl